During the school year, the Department of Communication & Media Relations produces a media tip sheet called "News You Can Use, which is distributed to metro Atlanta news outlets electronically. This publication provides school and system news, including recent honors, upcoming events, calendar items, and photo opportunities at local schools and central office locations. The tip sheet is sent out at the end of each week, and covers news and GCPS items of interest for the coming 7-10 days.View All Archived News You Can UseNews You Can Use…A Gwinnett County Public Schools Tip Sheet For The News Media03/12/2012 - 03/18/2012

SATURDAYBrookwood High will host the Harlem Legends in a charity event for the Amanda Riley Foundation on March 10 at 3 p.m. The Legends team members are former Harlem Globetrotters and these players will compete in a game against the Amanda Riley All-Stars— Brookwood coaches and teachers and other members of the community. The Amanda Riley Foundation was created to honor a Brookwood High student who lost her battle against cancer. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information, call Donna Faulkner at 770-736-2088, or email donna_faulkner@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

HONORSJenkins Elementary student artist Carolyn Phung won “My Math,” a national art contest and $15K for her school. Carolyn’s artwork will appear on the cover of McGraw-Hill’s My Math textbook. The school held a celebration to honor the 4th grader, and she received a copy of the cover of the book to hang in her home. The school also will display a poster-sized version of the cover.

Three GCPS high schools have been selected as finalists in the Web Challenge 2012 “Engage Students in STEM Learning” competition.These finalists were carefully chosen from a pool of 57 entries:

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (finalist in 2 areas) - ICE Neuroscience, and The Allotroupe

Lanier High School - Team CDAT

As a finalist, the teams will be recognized at the 4th Annual Web Challenge Awards Reception held at Cisco in Lawrenceville on March 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Category and Grand Prize winners will be announced and scholarship awards presented at the reception. For more information, call Michael Robertson, Executive Driector of TAG Education Collaborative, at 404-920-2038 or email mrobertson@tagonline.org.

GCPS teams placed among the winners at the Regional Mock Trial competition. Brookwood High was a regional finalist, and Duluth High and Shiloh High teams earned semi-finalist titles. In addition the following schools took honors for outstanding attorneys and witnesses in the competition.

The state honored Duluth High Mock Trial Coach Mary Ann Meeks for 23 years of service in working with students in Mock Trial competition.

UPCOMINGBeaver Ridge Elementary will host a Mosaic of Writing Presentations on March 13 at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guests are invited to be a part of a wonderful evening full of writing. Students will showcase their writing skills. In addition, there will be door prizes awarded. For more information, call 770-447-6307.

North Gwinnett High French Teacher Rhonda Archer has been selected to participant in an exchange program through the Georgia Department of Education and Georgia Tech. North Gwinnett High partners with a school in France as an element of this program. North Gwinnett High is one of only six schools selected from Georgia to participate in the program. Sixteen students and one teacher from France will be hosted by North Gwinnett High students the week of March 8-14. The students will be at the school March 13, and 14. For more information, call 770-945-9558.

Duluth High students will perform “Footloose” on March 15, 16, and 17 at 7 p.m. and March 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for $10 for adults and $8 for a student or children. For more information, call Theater Director Gwyn Jones at 770-476-5206.

Pinckneyville Middle students will perform the musical “Oklahoma” on March 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. for more information; call Theater Arts Director and Drama Club Sponsor Tracey Buchner at 770-263-0860.

The 2012 Gwinnett Transition Fair is scheduled to take place on March 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Peachtree Ridge High. The event is for students with disabilities, their parents, and educators. Topics will include Medicaid Waivers, Navigating Social Security Benefits, Estate Planning and Guardianship Options, Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Assistive Technology, and Vocational and Community programs after high school. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from agencies and organizations in the Metro Atlanta area. For more information, contact Allison Vernon or Tamara King at 678-301-7121.

Minor Elementary will celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary on March 18. Community members have donated a collection of memories that will be shared at the event. For more information, and to RSVP, call the school at 770-925-9543.

To kick-off Exceptional Children’s Week, Winn Holt Elementary will host a visit from GCPS graduate Kyle Maynard, who has successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro as a quadriplegic. Mr. Maynard will speak on motivation and inspiration for all students, specifically those with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. The event will take place on March 19 with one presentation from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., and another session from 9:30 to 10 a.m., followed by classroom visits. For more information, call Teacher Pam Dietz at 678-372-6566.

On March 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., 5th grade parents and their students are invited to Beaver Ridge Elementary’s “Transition to Middle School,” an informative hour about what parents and their children need to know as they transition to middle school. Summerour Middle Principal Dorothy Parker-Jarrett will be on hand and the School Box Store will be open for business with resources to prepare students for 6th grade. For more information, call Assistant Principal Nury Crawford at 770-447-6307.

The Dacula Cluster Choral Concert is scheduled for March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hebron Worship Center. Performances will be from Alcova, Dacula, and Mulberry elementary schools, Dacula Middle, and Dacula High. Admission is free. Participants are invited to donate a non-perishable food item for the local food bank. For more information, call Music Teacher Beth Warzon at 678-376-8500.

Gwinnett County Public Schools is hosting a 5K race to benefit Relay for Life. The race is scheduled for April 14 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the ISC (Instructional Support Center), Building 200 in Suwanee. Participants registering by April 2 will receive a race t-shirt. Warm-up begins at 7:45 a.m. on the day of the race in front of Building 200 and the 5K Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to age group winners. For more information, call Patrice Pendergast or CoTinna Harris at 678-301-6076. To register visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5kaxktd315e55c3&llr=5mn9w5iab.

ONGOINGMaxwell High School of Technology is holding a Middle School Summer Camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students interested in exploring careers in Architecture Drawing and Design, Auto Collision, Auto Services, Construction, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Electronics, Graphic Communications and Design, Healthcare, Law and Justice, and Pre-K Camp Counseling. The camp is scheduled for the week of June 11-14 from 8 to 11 a.m. All camp programs are led by certified GCPS instructors with enthusiastic high school student aides. Registration is March 15 through May 7 and the registration fee is $50. For more information and to register, visit www.maxwellhigh.com or call Nancy Zamprelli at 770-338-4603 or Sherri Stephenson at 770-338-4625. Don’t miss this unique opportunity for your student.

In support of the school’s soccer program, Dacula High has an Adopt-a-Player program where faculty members sponsor a team member for the entire soccer season. Dacula has participated in this program for several years to help the community support the team. For more information, call Amanda Sailors, assistant principal, at 770-513-0847.

Gwinnett County Online Campus (GOC), Gwinnett’s full-time online learning option, has extended registration for the 2012–13 school year through March 15 for students in grades 6–12.Students can get more information through the counselor’s office at the local middle or high school and on the GOC. This charter school opened its doors as a fulltime school in August of 2011. It will expand to include the middle school level starting this coming fall. Learn more at www.gwinnettonlinecampus.com/goc/.

High school students who need to make up a class or want to get ahead, including rising 9th graders may take designated classes during the summer. Registration is ongoing at the following locations and online.

Face-to-Face Classes

Online Classes

When: June 12 to July 11 (July 4 holiday)

1st Period: 7:30-11:00 a.m.

Lunch: 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

2nd Period: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Where: Mountain View High, Peachtree Ridge High, and South Gwinnett High.How: Learn more about face-to-face summer school. Students may register online for face-to-face classes through June 4 or register in person on May 31 at Peachtree Ridge High.

Important information for face-to-face and Online Campus summer school students:

Transportation is not provided for face-to-face summer school classes or for the face-to-face sessions required for Online Campus courses.

A student should take no more than two summer classes: two face-to-face classes, two online classes, or a combination.

All tuition fees are due at the time of registration.

Any student planning to participate in the summer school graduation ceremony must take all summer classes with Gwinnett County Public Schools.

Both the Face-to-Face classes and the online programs will follow a Monday-to-Thursday schedule. Face-to-face and online summer classes will not meet on Fridays.

RECENTLYThe Norcross Elementary Chess Team placed in the top five winners at the Gwinnett County School Chess Tournament and will move to state competition. Captain Ron Verplaetse, a Norcross community member and local businessman, recognized the team and Coach Ken Almon, the PTA president, and Principal Dr. Dora Hill through the Norcross Cluster Partnership.

North Gwinnett High recently sponsored “Operation Drive Smart/In a Split Second.” Several emergency vehicles were on campus for the re-enactment of a car crash. The assembly served as a memorial service for a “former student.” For more information, call North Gwinnett High at 770-271-5161.

GCPS TV“GCPS Focus” This month, GCPS Focus learns more about how to become a substitute teacher in Gwinnett, celebrates the achievement of the Berkmar High Questbridge Scholars, and takes a closer look at the process involving the school district’s accreditation process. Join us for these stories and more on GCPS Focus - your news show about Gwinnett County Public Schools. This 30 minute program airs this week at 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 11 p.m.

“2012 Gwinnett Readers Rally Championship” Tune in to GCPS TV for play-by-play action of the Gwinnett Readers Rally Championship competition. Eight teams - four elementary school quarter-finalists: Chattahoochee, Gwin Oaks, Head, and Jackson; two middle school semi-finalists: Crews and Sweetwater; and two high school semi-finalists: Berkmar and Brookwood; test their literary knowledge in this fast-paced quiz bowl program. This 60-minute program airs this week at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

“Spanish for Educators - Level 1” This GCPS original 10-part series, taught by Hopkins Elementary Assistant Principal Elisa Brown, is an introduction to the Spanish language tailored especially for educators and other school employees. Hour-long segments will air at 11 a.m. Monday-Sunday.
Tune in to Gwinnett County Public Schools’ educational access channel for education programs and information. TV cable channels and providers include: Charter on Channel 22, and Comcast on Channel 24 and 26. For more information, call the GCPS Broadcast and Distance Learning Department at 678-301-7800, or e-mail gcpstv@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. GCPS TV is now available via live video streaming on the GCPS TV website-- www.gcpstv.org.

SIGN UP TODAY TO RECEIVE SCHOOL SYSTEM NEWSSign up to receive Gwinnett County Public Schools’ e-newsletter, GCPS eNews... a quick, easy way to learn more about Georgia’s largest school system. In this newsletter, you’ll find stories on teaching and learning, school leadership and governance, and the partnerships that make Gwinnett County Public Schools successful. Go to the school system’s homepage for sign-up information (www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us) and to check out the e-News archives.

Each spring, the Gwinnett County Board of Education goes on the road, meeting once in each Board member’s district. The meetings are a time for the School Board to share information with the public and for citizens to discuss education topics with their elected officials. New this year, the meetings will be organized by Board electoral districts, reflecting the new district lines, rather than by school clusters. However, citizens may attend any of the five meetings. All Area Board Meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the host school’s theater, with refreshments served at 6:30 p.m. The change in Board district lines prompted a venue change for two of the meetings. Meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations.March 27 District IV, represented by Dr. Robert McClure, South Gwinnett HSMarch 29 District I, represented by 2012 Board Vice Chair Carole Boyce, Dacula HSApril 10 District II, represented by Daniel Seckinger Collins Hill HSApril 12 District V, represented by 2012 Board Chair Louise Radloff, Meadowcreek HSApril 17 District III, represented by Dr. Mary Kay Murphy, Duluth HS

A regular meeting of the Gwinnett County Board of Education will be held at 7 p.m., March 15, 2012, at the Instructional Support Center (ISC), located at 437 Old Peachtree Rd. NW in Suwanee.

The following schools will hold School Council Dates in March. Call the local school for the time and location.

School

March

Alcova Elementary

29-Mar

Anderson-Livsey

27-Mar

Annistown Elementary

27-Mar

Archer High School

19-Mar

Berkmar High

27-Mar

Britt Elementary

27-Mar

Brookwood Elementary

27-Mar

Brookwood High

27-Mar

Burnette ES

27-Mar

Camp Creek Elementary

23-Mar

Cedar Hill Elementary

29-Mar

Centerville Elementary

27-Mar

Central Gwinnett High

21-Mar29-Mar

Collins Hill High

13-Mar

Corley Elementary

29-Mar

Crews Middle

15-Mar

Dacula High

16-Mar29-Mar

Dacula Middle

29-Mar

Duncan Creek Elementary

21-Mar

Five Forks Middle

22-Mar

Grace Snell MS

27-Mar

Grayson Elementary

27-Mar

Grayson High

29-Mar

Harbins Elementary

15-Mar

Harris Elementary

29-Mar

Head Elementary

27-Mar

Henry Partee Elementary

27-Mar

Jenkins Elementary

29-Mar

Jones Middle

22-Mar

Kanoheda Elementary

15-Mar

Lanier Middle

20-Mar

Lawrenceville Elementary

29-Mar

Lovin Elementary

29-Mar

Magill Elementary

12-Mar27-Mar

McConnell Middle

29-Mar

Meadowcreek Elementary

19-Mar

Moore Middle School

29-Mar

Mulberry Elementary

29-Mar

North Gwinnett High

22-Mar

Norton Elementary

23-Mar

Parkview High

20-Mar

Pharr Elementary

29-Mar

Phoenix HS

13-Mar

Shiloh Elementary

27-Mar

Shiloh High

27-Mar

Shiloh Middle

27-Mar

Simonton Elementary

29-Mar

Snellville Middle

20-Mar

Starling Elementary

23-Mar29-Mar

Stripling Elementary

15-Mar

Taylor Elementary

16-Mar

Trip Elementary

29-Mar

Walnut Grove Elementary

22-Mar

White Oak Elementary

14-Mar

Winn Holt Elementary

29-Mar

EVENTS AT GWINNETT ENVIRONMENTAL & HERITAGE CENTERPart science and nature center, part energy institute, and part history center, the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center (GEHC) is a collaborative educational initiative. Partners are GCPS, Gwinnett County Government, the University of Georgia, and the Center’s foundation. The Center is dedicated to student field studies and activities Mon. through Sat. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center is open to the public Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more at http://www.gwinnettehc.org/ or call 770-904-3500.

Gwinnett County Public Schools wishes to meet the needs of all of its students and families. If any member of your family needs assistance or has any questions regarding mobility impaired issues or handicapped access, please contact the principal of your local school.